There could be a chance of that happening. Again - Mota really hasent done well as a closer. He converted the last 2 save opps before getting injured - in back to back games against Cincy, but they were his only 2 saves of the yr so far.

It would be interesting to see Jones or someone else closing ahead of Mota once he returns - but as many people have said for a while heading into the season - do not be suprised if Mota loses the closer job.

Cornbread Maxwell wrote:There could be a chance of that happening. Again - Mota really hasent done well as a closer. He converted the last 2 save opps before getting injured - in back to back games against Cincy, but they were his only 2 saves of the yr so far.

It would be interesting to see Jones or someone else closing ahead of Mota once he returns - but as many people have said for a while heading into the season - do not be suprised if Mota loses the closer job.

I don't understand the reasoning for him losing his job here. It's not his fault he's only had two chances at saves this year. That isn't controlled by him. He'll clearly be the closer when he gets back with Jones moving back to set-up. I think this is a non-issue.

You are obviously correct Donny...he was signed to close, is a fine pitcher, and will continue to close. He may lose the closer job, but that will only occur due to consistent non-performance on his part, not because "he's a setup man" or some idiocy like that. It's Mota's job to lose and he'll have to be very bad to lose it...

actually - he has about a 50% conversion rate in save opps - so you guys go ahead and keep ignoring me when I say his hold on the closer situation is shakey.

Good pitchers do not always have the makeup to close. FLA management knows this. Thats why they went out and got 2 guys who have been successful as closers as insurance policies in case Mota is one of those good pitchers who cannot transition into a good closer.

Cornbread Maxwell wrote:actually - he has about a 50% conversion rate in save opps - so you guys go ahead and keep ignoring me when I say his hold on the closer situation is shakey.

Good pitchers do not always have the makeup to close. FLA management knows this. Thats why they went out and got 2 guys who have been successful as closers as insurance policies in case Mota is one of those good pitchers who cannot transition into a good closer.

They signed him with a worse save % to be the closer. He's 2/2 for them. Let's not overblow things. Jones is an insurance policy, but as the other guy said, Mota will not lose the job unless he proves to be ineffective THIS YEAR. The thread was about Mota losing the job when he comes back. That will clearly not happen. If he was brought in to be the closer and has done the job when asked so far, why change this?